NC Renewable Energy Challenge
2026 North Carolina Renewable Energy Challenge
March 28, 2026
With funding from the North Carolina Renewable Ocean Energy Program and in partnership with KidWind and Jennette’s Pier, the Coastal Studies Institute (CSI) hosts the day-long North Carolina Renewable Energy Challenge annually on the ECU Outer Banks Campus in Wanchese. Competing students must engineer an alternative energy device and compete against each other to create the most efficient design. The challenge strives to increase student interest in green technology and promote innovation, and it fosters 21st-century skills that better prepare students for the growing renewable energy industry.
The 2026 event will include wind and underwater turbine competitions with upper elementary & middle (grades 4-8), and high school (grades 9-12) divisions for each. The competition aims to increase engineering solutions for the alternative energies available in North Carolina. Funding is available for basic competition materials and for travel to CSI. If teams wish to have funding for either, please contact Parker Murphy and John McCord.
The winning teams will receive cash prizes, and the top team(s) in each wind division will be invited to the World KidWind competition held in Madison, Wisconsin, in mid-May 2026.
Additional Information & Rulebooks
CSI will host an informational webinar on January 14, 2026, at 4 PM for all interested students and potential coaches.
KidWind Virtual Workshops & Webinars
Road to the KidWind Challenge – Tues., Oct. 28 at 7PM Eastern – RSVP HERE
Solar Energy 101 – Sat., Dec. 6 at 11AM Eastern – RSVP HERE
Wind Energy 101 – Sat., Jan. 10 at 11AM Eastern – RSVP HERE
Battery 101 – Sat., Feb. 28 at 11AM Eastern – RSVP HERE
Power Grid 101 – Sat. Mar. 7 at 11AM Eastern – RSVP HERE
Marine & Hydropower 101 – Sat., Apr. 11 at 11AM Eastern – RSVP HERE
Based at the Coastal Studies Institute (CSI), the North Carolina Renewable Ocean Energy Program (NCROEP) advances inter-disciplinary marine energy solutions across UNC System partner colleges of engineering at NC State University, UNC Charlotte, and NC A&T University. Click on the links below for more information.
ECU's Integrated Coastal Programs (ECU ICP) is a leader in coastal and marine research, education, and engagement. ECU ICP includes the Coastal Studies Institute, ECU's Department of Coastal Studies, and ECU Diving and Water Safety.
The ECU Outer Banks campus is home to the Coastal Studies Institute.
